Police ID person of interest in string of robberies

Published: Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 03:56 PM.

Authorities say at least 10 convenience stores have been robbed at gunpoint in the past month.

Now they have a person of interest in the investigation, and information leading to the man’s arrest could make you $2,000 richer.

Shelby police have identified Regis Lee Wright, 22, as a man they want to talk to after a string of recent armed robberies, the latest of which came Thursday night at a store across the street from Burns High School in Shelby.

Crime Stoppers had offered a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved. It was announced this weekend that the reward has been raised to $2,000 cash simply to help find Wright.

Wright, who has a listed address of 704 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, is wanted on a felony absconder’s warrant with the probation and parole office.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 704-481-TIPS (8477). Anyone with information can call and remain anonymous.

Wright’s criminal past, according to the N.C. Department of Correction, includes convictions for common law robbery, burglary and communicating threats dating back to 2008. He was imprisoned for more than three years on the burglary charge alone.

Investigators previously said they believe the same group of men are behind the recent robberies.

Prior to Thursday night’s robbery, another was reported early that morning at 1:34 a.m. at the One Stop Food Store at 3971 W. Dixon Blvd.

At 2:04 a.m. Wednesday, Shelby Police responded to the One Stop Food Store at 900 Fallston Road, Shelby, after a gunman walked out with an undisclosed amount of money taken from the store clerk.

The suspect was described as a light skinned black man, approximately 5’9” to 5’11” tall, wearing a white shirt over his head and a black mask or T-shirt over his face. He was also wearing a red long sleeve shirt and tan camouflage pants. The suspect was last seen running east on Wyke Road in Shelby and getting into a car that left also traveling east on Wyke Road.

Between June 29 and July 6, other Shelby robberies have been reported at the Kangaroo Express at 3600 W. Dixon Blvd., Fast Stop Market at 1020 E. Dixon Blvd., and Mike’s Food Store at 805 Earl Road.

Authorities say at least 10 convenience stores have been robbed at gunpoint in the past month.

Now they have a person of interest in the investigation, and information leading to the man’s arrest could make you $2,000 richer.

Shelby police have identified Regis Lee Wright, 22, as a man they want to talk to after a string of recent armed robberies, the latest of which came Thursday night at a store across the street from Burns High School in Shelby.

Crime Stoppers had offered a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved. It was announced this weekend that the reward has been raised to $2,000 cash simply to help find Wright.

Wright, who has a listed address of 704 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, is wanted on a felony absconder’s warrant with the probation and parole office.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 704-481-TIPS (8477). Anyone with information can call and remain anonymous.

Wright’s criminal past, according to the N.C. Department of Correction, includes convictions for common law robbery, burglary and communicating threats dating back to 2008. He was imprisoned for more than three years on the burglary charge alone.

Investigators previously said they believe the same group of men are behind the recent robberies.

Prior to Thursday night’s robbery, another was reported early that morning at 1:34 a.m. at the One Stop Food Store at 3971 W. Dixon Blvd.

At 2:04 a.m. Wednesday, Shelby Police responded to the One Stop Food Store at 900 Fallston Road, Shelby, after a gunman walked out with an undisclosed amount of money taken from the store clerk.

The suspect was described as a light skinned black man, approximately 5’9” to 5’11” tall, wearing a white shirt over his head and a black mask or T-shirt over his face. He was also wearing a red long sleeve shirt and tan camouflage pants. The suspect was last seen running east on Wyke Road in Shelby and getting into a car that left also traveling east on Wyke Road.

Between June 29 and July 6, other Shelby robberies have been reported at the Kangaroo Express at 3600 W. Dixon Blvd., Fast Stop Market at 1020 E. Dixon Blvd., and Mike’s Food Store at 805 Earl Road.